Ashley County
Arkansas — Natural Disaster Risk Assessment
LowComposite Risk Score
National percentile: 54th
Ashley County faces low composite natural disaster risk (NRI Risk Index score 53.9, 54th national percentile), driven primarily by ice storm and earthquake exposure. Expected annual loss across all 18 hazard types is $12M.
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 · Updated December 2025
Top Hazards
All 18 Hazard Risks
| Ice Storm | High | 1.08 / yr | $434K |
| Earthquake | Low | 0.00 / yr | $2M |
| Drought | Medium | 17.54 / yr | $651K |
| Heat Wave | Low | 18.95 / yr | $929K |
| Tornado | Medium | 0.69 / yr | $2M |
| Hail | Low | 3.29 / yr | $362K |
| Hurricane | Low | 0.04 / yr | $235K |
| Riverine Flood | Low | 1.79 / yr | $5M |
| Strong Wind | Low | 2.91 / yr | $363K |
| Lightning | Low | 64.40 / yr | $99K |
| Cold Wave | Low | 1.05 / yr | $409K |
| Wildfire | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $11K |
| Landslide | Very Low | 0.20 / yr | $55 |
| Winter Weather | Very Low | 3.11 / yr | $8K |
| Avalanche | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Tsunami | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
| Volcanic Activity | Very Low | 0.00 / yr | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall natural disaster risk for Ashley County?
Ashley County has a composite FEMA National Risk Index score of 53.9 out of 100, placing it in the Low category and the 54th national percentile. This combines Expected Annual Loss, Social Vulnerability, and Community Resilience across 18 hazard types.
What are the top natural hazards in Ashley County?
The three highest-rated hazards are Ice Storm (High, $434K EAL), Earthquake (Low, $2M EAL), Drought (Medium, $651K EAL). These account for most of the county's expected annual losses.
How does Ashley County compare to other Arkansas counties?
Ashley County ranks #38 of 75 Arkansas counties for overall natural disaster risk, with a low rating.
What does Expected Annual Loss (EAL) mean?
EAL is FEMA's estimate of average annual dollar losses from natural hazards, calculated from historical event data and exposure models. Ashley County's $12M EAL is a statistical average, not a guarantee for any specific year or address.